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The aim of this article was to explain what cloud computing is and how it works. The article provided a lot of great information and clarity on the concept and how it can be used by individuals and businesses alike. It also provides a list of pros and cons to cloud computing.

Cloud computing is like the icloud, basically having the data in one location that everyone can have access too. The amazing feature and benefits in my personal opinion is the ability to have an entire department work on a spreadsheet together and have access to the same information.

Nowadays consumers want an experience that is transparent, immediate and connected 24/7. E-commerce travel companies need to change their focus which include wider choice of rich content, more comparable offerings, more focus on relevance than magnitude, and an increase in automation and personalization that enables customer self-service.

the article highlights the benefits and disadvantages of using an online event management program and how it can affect your event

This article is about technology trends in the event industry. It talks about what event planners are doing to implement more technology in their events; it gives examples such as audience using smartphones to interact during the meeting, events, conference, etc. Now event planners use technology to collect information in real time, which helps them to adjust their event at the moment, this is a very smart strategy.

This article contains information about the expected event trends this year that will possibly increase ROI. The list of expected trends all surrounded the technological advancements that are enhancing event planning. The advancements include the increased use of smartphones to conduct business. This technological increase will also reduce company costs. It is also expected to improve company value. I agree with technology improving company value. Technology is advancing majorly throughout the world. It is also making it easier for companies and consumers to interact. Smartphones, alone, are very popular in today's economy and are a great example of technological advancement. Being that people already use their smartphones to check emails, save event dates and contact other people (whether over the phone or by video), conducting business will be somewhat simple to adapt to. Increasing company technology to reduce costs is a good move. However, the companies should keep in mind that losing one cost will only open the door for another one. When dealing with technology, there are always risks (usually malfunction risks). So, companies should keep in mind that there is a possibility that expenses will incur for the technological maintenance that will be needed to keep the technology operating.

The Great Recession has been come to end point; therefore, expected corporate and event spend will begin to rise from 9 to 20 percents in next two years. The author has scooped out 5 major trends that will rapidly increase Return on Investment (ROI) for 2013 and future. 1. Smart Events will take center stage: in 2011, 205 million people attended 1.8 million events cost more than $263 billion in direct spending in the U.S alone. But only 25 percent of organizations see its effective, in 2013 organizations will choose smart event technology to help them operate more effectively 2. Automation will help event planners reduce expenses: Strategic meeting management ( SMM) technology can help event planners adapt to new methods to identify event-related functions and reduce costs. 3. Planners will achieve greater efficiency through solution consolidation: In the future, organizers will lay out their workloads by choosing consolidated solution, saving time and freeing up event planners to focus on making event better and well organized. 4. Event  organizers will engage audiences with smartphones: New all-in one apps will help organizer to provide all the information needed for attendee about the event. 5. Meeting planners will leverage technology to gather in-dept attendee information: focusing on the need of attendee is a crucial part of event planner, to be able to get requirement of attendee in real time will help organizer to adjust their plan, strategies on the fly and increase ROI. Increasing the need for events in 2013 and future requires event planner to be able to get familiarize with new event trend and technology to minimize the cost and maximize the ROI for an organization.

Hotel Accounting software allows fore more streamlined and accurate activities. A hotel owner or management needs to be able to access information such as room occupancy, rates, and profits. Accounting software allows this information to be accurately received and transferred into reports. Information is received in real time anywhere. Accounting processes are made simpler and more user friendly for employees and allowing for higher quality data storage. The software are cost and time saving, making them an important integration to any hotel's PMS.

This article discusses five ways to stimulate Ecommerce which includes corresponding with guests, remaining active on social media, not letting your SEO go on leave, devising media budgets and targeting, as well as employing the help of an expert. The author emphasized staying in contact with your customers whether it be through your website, social media, or email. The intention is to stay connected with your guest so that when it is time for them to choose a hotel, they will choose yours. Social media can be used as a tool to entice your future guest and keep them interested in your property. Keeping search traffic up for your website will also ensure people continue to look at your property. Keep in mind the kind of travelers that will come to your property, and tailor your advertisements, messaging, and offers to meet the needs of those travelers. And lastly, if needed, do not be afraid to enlist the help of an expert. This article is meant as a guide for getting one's Ecommerce back on track during these hard pandemic times.

My opinion on this article is that E-commerce has been a huge hit as of lately and it is time for this type of trend to follow in the hospitality world. There is a huge shift from walk-in business to online bookings and the best way to show guests the improvements to the property would be through email and social media presence. This would give properties a competitive advantage when it comes to OTA bookings.

This article talks about the 5 technologies hotels should be investing into for 2020 in order to stay competitive. The technologies are website simplicity, upselling tech to boost profitability, secure payment systems to increase consumer confidence & credibility, self service and automated check-in, and an omni platform which centralises operations.

Hotels are taking new major steps into tech integration as more and more developments are constantly being requested by guest and made by property owners. These I.T investments can help these properties majorly and help increase guest satisfaction. One advantage that many companies can use is it up selling aspect to help push sales. Investing in secure payment options helps with data security and gives the hotel credibility.

-Website simplicity -Upselling technology to boost profitability -Secure payment systems to increase consumer confidence and credibility -Self service and automated check in -An omni platform which centralizes operations -In a 2,000 people study, a quarter of people take into high consideration the quality and detail of a hotel's website before making a direct booking online. -Website simplicity acquires traffic, increases conversion rates and drives more people to book direct. -Upselling can happen subsequently through nudge marketing via emails, push notifications of even on arrival at the hotel. -Investment in secure payment gateways protects the data of hotel guests and the hotels credibility. -Also checks in advance whether the credit card exists and is covered which could reduce chargebacks. -In a survey of 2,654 consumers, 78% of respondents said they would like to see self-service kiosks more widely available for check in. -Self check in is faster service, more privacy, and waiting time/lines are much shorter. -Omni channel platforms enable you to centralize operational systems, take back control of your revenue flow and transparency of guest data, so hotel management can focus on creating the best experience for customers.

The article provides a brief history of POS technology in the hospitality industry and studies the pros and cons of its applications in the restaurant industry. The study, published in 2004, focuses primarily on handheld POS devices that allow consumers to place orders and order checks independent of serving staff. The article finds that handheld POS systems have potential in this market to bring additional profits and increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

companies and people are wanting more evolved events design and decor and technology being apart of it. A dimly lit ballroom just isnt cutting it anymore. Event Managers are in high demand to work with hotels to create a space that can host all kinds of events in one venue.

As the need for event planning rising more and more over the years Hotel developers are assuring the need to hire event planners to help boost their sales and awareness for their property by redesigning and maintain their current areas. This allows many hotel owners to help create memories while leaving a great taste on the guest who requested the venue. he job of event planners are very critical because they go through every detail and trends to gather ideas for the clients. They have to keep in contact with property for any changes or layout to ensure it meets to clients needs.

RFID, event applications, wearable technology, virtual reality, and social media are upcoming popular uses for event planners. With RFID event planners are able to keep better track of the guests attending the event as well as keeping them more involved. I first heard of this a few months ago when attending an event and it described that a chip with RFID was placed inside the wristband-type ticket. For me, the most interesting thing is the wearable technology! Imagine an event where you can have directions given to you or a layout of the event right on your wrist! Also, the watch can notify you of events happening within an event or you can see order your food or see the menu. To know that soon enough it will be a norm for everyone to have some type of wearable technology and that event planners can truly get the guests involved through this use is exciting.

This article introduces four new advances to technology that help ease the process of event planning. Projection mapping, 5G, Branded multi-use apps, and event diagramming.

This article shares the technology innovation with meeting/convention operations and how these technology help offer better guest satisfaction.

My opinion on this article is that it would be beneficial for franchise hotels that are opening during this time to be able to go with a cloud based PMS system from Oracle because it allows owners to see what type of functions are going to be needed as the hotel generates more revenue. It would be interesting to see the difference in cost because Oracle usually has a $5,500 yearly fee for their PMS system that has been in place at thousands of hotel properties today and if franchise standards allow this cloud system, it could be a good idea to cut down on that cost initially and then upgrading as time goes on.

A list of the best Property Management Systems of 2020. 

The article titled Mobile Key: It's the new reality for hotels by Esther Hertzfeld, discusses the various aspects of the implementation and utilization of the mobile key technology in hotels. The mobile key technology is a Bluetooth enabled lock that a user can open with their mobile devices. The popularity and demand for mobile key entry in hotels is skyrocketing. However, hotels can't implement them as fast as the guests demand and desire them. It will be easier for hotels that are being built from scratch to integrate the feature than established hotels switching over to this new technology, but I believe they will eventually. In the article it states that guests rate the hotel 7 points higher with mobile key cards. Higher reviewed hotels will bring in more guests thus increasing hotel revenue. The utilization of the mobile room key allows the guest to check in on their phone remotely. Once the guest arrives to the hotel they can go straight up to their room without having to stop at a front desk. This gives the guest a more personalized and efficient experience, which I agree with. In my opinion being able to walk into a hotel and go up immediately to my room is ideal. I have not stayed at a hotel yet that has used the mobile key feature but I imagine it is great. I think all hotels in the future will run on mobile key entry. The article states there will be a learning curve for the guests and staff initially. It will be important to educate guests who don't travel often and guests in general. It stated that some people might feel embarrassed if they don't use the mobile key correctly and need to return to the front desk. That could be very frustrating to some guests who come to their room and then have to go back downstairs to talk to the front desk if something goes wrong. It is also stated that there will be awareness and comfort challenges with the front desk staff. I believe that mobile key entry is the future of hotel technology. It will take

This article shows us many advantages of using computerized accounting software. It is useful for managers to manage enterprises through instant reports which were provided by computerized accounting programs. And it also be helpful for financial manager to check the manager's work. The advantages of the computerized accounting software includes: speed, automatic document production, accuracy, up-to-date information, availability of information, management information, GST/VAT return, legibility, efficiency, staff motivation, cost savings, reduce frustration and the ability to deal in multiple currencies easily.

The special situation has put revenue management to a test. Some of the users did not feel significant help, but others have insisted that the software was helpful. Related to the changes to hotels in the pandemic, their competitive set may also change and they should reconsider the prices. To adjust the prices, better use of the software in hand is recommended. It also requires human and software to analyze the signals together. On the vendors' side, they also need to tune up their software. Some of them made their software to concern more on recent data, and some of them made it able to turn down the autopilot of the software to suit different needs. Some hotels keep investing in technology innovation despite the tight budget, even pressed ahead during the worst time. Staffing adjustments and layoffs also made them more preferring to use software and external consultants. But during this special time, smaller properties may succeed more by using new technologies. In sum, despite the huge decrease in revenue, hotels are trying to grab the maximum money they can gain.

This article talks about how cyber security is very important to the safety of the personal information.

Author, Lena Combs, discusses why hospitality has become vulnerable to cyber attack. Ranging from the failure to secure POS systems and credit card data. To hotels' inability to detect and effectively respond to potential cyber threats. Combs outlines the steps involved in implementing a cohesive top- to bottom strategy that will effectively address these dilemmas. More importantly, why doing so protects a hotel's bottom line and brand positioning.

The following article highlights the importance of cybersecurity in general and why it is especially important in the hotel industry. This highlights many facets, one being the fact that the hotel industry is one of the most vulnerable to cyber-attacks, therefore, needing to have top-notch cybersecurity.

The article talks about major trends in tourism events, ranging from green initiatives through F&B to the 2nd largest reason people go to events is networking opportunities and providing quiet areas where people can network in is a good idea. More events are being planned so it is necessary to book event venues early.

Like everything nowadays is evolving, also the meetings are evolving in order to stay trendy and appealing for consumers. Meetings are growing exponentially YOY at a rate of between 5-10% according to the prestigious CWT meetings and events company for 2020 (without counting coronavirus). The reality is that the meetings industry also needs to evolve in order to stay in business with the new trends, clientele and times. This list provides 19 trends that every event planner needs to consider to make their event a success, including but not limited to the new demographics in the world (millenials).

This article is about 19 event trends that event planners should be informed about. People are expecting different things from events that in the past years where not expected. Trends have changed, for example, it is a trend now to have minimalistic events instead of gaudy ones. Now people also expect creativity out of the event and to have a unique event. People also care about security of the event and fast WI-fi. All these trends are important to know and will continue changing with the years.

In this article, the authors pointed out the problems that can be solved by implementing modern technologies into the hotel's processes. The author stated all kinds of the techs that are important to the hoteliers today, from the PMS to the rating index tool, that helps hotels to assess their online reputation, as far as the amount of bookings depend on the online reputation.